ROLL A MILE AT 4TH ANNUAL ACCESSIBILITY CONFERENCE MAY 30th
Fergus, Ontario, May 17, 2012 – Local accessibility firm Roll a Mile will be presenting a session at the 4th Annual The Accessibility Conference at the University of Guelph, May 29th and 30th. The theme of this year’s conference is Possibility • Opportunity • Action to move attendees beyond awareness or only a theoretical understanding of accessibility to engage delegates with innovative research and practical strategies for taking action.
Roll a Mile’s session, “Putting the Cost of Accessibility into Perspective” performs a cost-analysis of accessibility by analyzing return on investment. Comparing such items as: the societal and economic benefits, possibilities and opportunities of accessibility and inclusion; implementation costs; cost of non-compliance; and value of preserving dignity and independence. The session runs Wednesday, May 30th from 8:45 – 9:45 a.m.
Participants will: examine the cost of accessibility relative to other recent advances and expenditures in business and institutions; examine historic examples of business evolution and advancement to accommodate everything from social movements to technological advancements; go ‘Beyond the Building Code’ to understanding the rationale behind the regulation and compare regulated accessibility to actual accessibility; and learn cost-effective ideas and practical strategies for implementing and improving accessibility.
Session speaker and Roll a Mile President, Donna Jack, says her business faces one major obstacle, lack of awareness and misperceptions about the costs involved in implementing accessibility and complying with regulations. “There is a huge misperception about the true cost” she says, “current regulations under the A.O.D.A. simply require most businesses to implement accessible customer service policies and procedures, and train staff. Right now, it’s not even about having a ramp, though having a ramp is helpful.”
“As well,” she continues, “the benefits and opportunities presented by accessibility and inclusion for businesses, institutions and society far outweigh the costs. One recent study estimates that the implementation of the AODA could generate retail sales increases ranging from $3.8-$9.6 billion over the next 5 years. A chance at that piece of the pie is a pretty good return on the cost of becoming accessible”.
For more information on the 2012 Accessibility Conference visit www.accessconf.ca
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For more information: www.rollamile.com, 519-823-3046 or access@rollamile.com
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